Binding strip measuring and assembly mechanism

ABSTRACT

A MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ASSEMBLING A BINDING CLIP TO ONE EXTREMITY OF A STRIP OF METAL MATERIAL, MEANSURING A DESIRED LENGTH OF THE STRIP MATERIAL AND SEVERING THE DESIRED LENGTH OF STRIP MATERIAL FROM A STORAGE ROLL. THE MECHANISM IS PROVIDED WITH A STRIP GUIDE BAR HAVING A STRIP GUIDE GROOVE FORMED THEREIN. A BRAKE MECHANISM, A STRIP DRIVE MECHANISM, AND A STRIP EXTREMITY IMMOBILIZING MECHANISMS, ARE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE STRIP GUIDE GROOVE TO CONTROL MOVEMENT OF THE STRIP MATERIAL. A STRIP CUTTER, A STRIP BINDING APPARATUS, AND A CLIP FASTENING DEVICE ARE PROVIDED ADJACENT THE STRIP GUIDE GROOVE TO PERFORM CUTTING, BINDING, AND FASTENING OPERATIONS ON THE STRIP MATERIAL. A CLIP ORIENTING AND FEED DEVICE IS PROVIDED TO ORIENT BUILDING CLIPS SO THAT A CLIP MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE FREE EXTREMITY OF THE STRIP MATERIAL. CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE MECHANISM IS ACHIEVED BY AN ADJUSTABLE SEQUENCE TIMING CONTROL DEVICE WHICH IS RESPONSIVE TO LINEAR MOVEMENT OF THE STRIP MATERIAL BEING DRIVEN.

B. ISAACS Sept. 20, 1971 BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISMFiled Aug. 15, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N 6 N2 N6 S O? ON m\ Q\ Sept. 20,1971 B. ISAACS BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed Aug.15. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

INVENTOR BROWN ISAACS W%w ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 197-1 B. ISAACS 3,605,821

BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15. 1969 3Sheets-Sheet S 72 70 FIG. 7

FIG. 9

INVENTOR BROWN ISAACS /2 BY f ATTRNEY United States Patent 3,605,821BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM A mechanism forautomatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of a strip ofmetal material, measuring a desired length of the strip material andsevering the desired length of strip material from a storage roll. Themechanism is provided with a strip guide bar having a strip guide grooveformed therein. A brake mechanism, a strip drive mechanism, and a stripextremity immobilizing mechanisms, are disposed adjacent the strip guidegroove to control movement of the strip material. A strip cutter, astrip binding apparatus, and a clip fastening device are providedadjacent the strip guide groove to perform cutting, bending, andfastening operations on the strip material. A clip orienting and feeddevice is provided to orient binding clips so that a clip may beconnected to the free extremity of the strip material. Control of theentire mechanism is achieved by an adjustable sequence timing controldevice which is responsive to linear movement of the strip materialbeing driven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is related generally to stripmaterial used for binding and more particularly to a mechanism forautomatically providing measured strips of the binding material having abinding clip securely fastened to one extremity thereof. The stripmaterial is generally composed of metal and has numerous binding usesincluding binding of bales of material and binding insulation materialabout heated pipelines and the like as is frequently done in processingindustries. The strip material may be composed of various acceptableplastic material or any other suitable material.

In order to perform binding opertions generally a crew of men isprovided, one of Whom serves to cut the strip material into measuredlengths. The other workers take the measured lengths of material and anumber of standard binding clips to the Work site. As each strip ofmaterial is selected for installation a clip is threaded onto oneextremity of the strip material and a short length of strip material isbent about the clip by the workman. The worker cutting the measuredlengths of material may also manually fix the clips to the lengths ofmaterial. The operation of transporting clips to the work site andinstalling them on the strip material by hand obviously results inconsiderable loss of time by the worker performing the bindingoperation. A considerable amount of time is also involved in cutting thestrip material to measured lengths. Accordingly, it is a primary objectof this invention to provide a novel mechanism for automaticallyassembling a binding clip to one extremity of metal strip material,measuring a desired length of the strip material, and severing thedesired length of material from a storage roll.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel mechanismfor automatically assembling a binding clip to metal strip material andwhich may be adjusted to sever any desired length of strip material.

Among the several objects of this invention is contemplated theprovision of a novel binding clip assembly mechanism which positivelysecures a clip to the free extremity of the strip material in suchmanner as to prevent separation thereof.

It is an even further object of this invention to provide a novelmechanism for producing measured strips of binding material havingbinding clips securely attached at one extremity thereof and which issimple in nature, reliable in use, and low in cost.

The above and other objects and novel features of the instant inventionwill be readily apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expresslyunderstood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and arenot intended to define the limits of the invention, but rather to merelyillustrate a preferred embodiment and structure incorporating thefeatures of the instant invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification andwherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mechanism constructed in accordance with thespirit and scope of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the strip guide structureillustrating adjustability of the strip guide structure to compensatefor strip material of various widths.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the strip guide structureillustrating the clip securing station and showing strip material bentback upon itself about a binding clip.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a binding clip of the type utilized bythe mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view in section illustrating thecutter mechanism of FIG. 2 in detail.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating electrical and pneumaticcircuitry of the mechanism of this invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating double actuation of thepneumatic cylinders utilized for control of the mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an operational view in elevation illustrating bending of thefree extremity of the strip material about a binding clip.

Briefly the mechanism or machine of this invention includes a pair ofdrive rollers capable of receiving metal strip material therebetween anddriving the stri material linearly from a storage housing for stripmaterial. A strip brake member is provided adjacent the drive rollersand cooperates with the drive rollers in order to secure the stripmaterial against linear movement as desired. The drive rollers and thebrake member are simultaneously controlled by a solenoid mechanismactuated by linear movement of the strip material. Accurate measurementis accomplished by cooperative interrelation of the drive rollers andbrake mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a clip work stationwhere metal binding clips are automatically fed into a clip orientingrecess provided therefor. Apparatus is provided at the clip work stationfor bending the free extremity of the strip material about the bindingclip and securely fastening the strip material to the binding clip toprevent subsequent disassembly thereof. After the strip material hasbeen properly measured the strip material is severed by a strip cutterprovided therefor and a strip removing device very rapidly extracts thefinished strip and clip assembly from the machine and feeds it into astorage receptacle provided therefor.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of theinstant invention, a mechanism or machine, illustrated generally at inFIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with a generally planar elongated base 12 towhich a strip storage housing 14 is attached by means of bolts 16. Thestorage housing 14 is provided with a support base 18 having a pluralityof elongated openings 20 formed therein. The elongated openings 20receive the bolts 16 and allow the base member 18 to be shifted linearlywithin limits defined by the length of the elongated openings 20.Lateral shifting of the base member allows proper positioning of a rollof strip material in registry with strip measuring and driving apparatusdescribed indetail hereinbelow. The bolts 16 are maintained suflicientlytight to restrain movement of the housing by vibration but readily allowthe housing to be shifted laterally either manually or mechanicallywithout adjustment of the bolts '16. A friction pad or compressionspring may be interposed between the bolt head and the base of thestorage housing to provide the restraiinng force. The storage housing'14 is provided with an intermediate partition 22 securely fixed to thesupport portion 24 of the storage housing. A support shaft 26 extendsthrough an aperture provided in a centrally located guide 28 secured tothe partition 22. Rolls of strip material 30 may be placed about theguide bushing 28 on each side of the central partition 22 and areenclosed within the storage housing 14 by cover plates 32 and 34. Thecover plates are retained in assembly with the support shaft 26 by nutmembers 36. A cylindrical protective member 38 is secured to thepartition 22 in order to enclose the peripheral portion of the storagehousing 14 and is provided with an outlet opening 39 in order to allowexit of the strip material from the storage housing.

During operation of the machine the storage housing 14 will be shiftedto one extremity of its linear travel thereby allowing one of thestorage rolls of strip material to be properly disposed in registry witha strip measuring device 40 secured to the base plate 12 immediatelyadjacent the outlet opening 39. While the machine is in operation andstrip material is being withdrawn from one of the storage rolls 30personnel controlling the machine will be allowed to refill the otherside of the storage housing with a fresh roll of strip material therebyallowing production to continue as rapidly as is feasible. After a rollof strip material has been depleted by the machine the storage housing14 may be shifted to the other extremity of its linear movement therebyregistering the fresh roll of strip material with the measuring device40 and allowing the machine operating personnel to remove the oppositecover plate 32 or 34 and replace the depleted storage roll with a freshroll of strip material.

The strip measuring device 40 includes a base block 42 to which ispivotally connected a timing roller support member 44. A timing roller46 is rotatably carried by the member 44 and is biased into engagementwith the base block 40 by a spring member 48 disposed about anadjustment bolt 50. The tension spring is adjusted by a nut member 52secured to the bolt member 50. As illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1the timing roller 46 is connected to a timing mechanism 54 being in turnelectrically connected to four solenoid energized control valves 56, S8,60, and 62 as illustrated in detail in FIG. 7. The timing mechanism '54is adjustable in order to allow the length of the strip material to beinfinitely varied as desired. Any one of a number of acceptablecommercially available timing mechanisms may be successfully employedfor the purposes set forth herein. The timing mechanism 54 includes apower conductor 64 communicating with a source E of electrical energy.The power conductor 64 is connected to each of the solenoid valves 56,58, 60, and 62 as illustrated in FIG. '7. Ground conductors 66, 68, 70,and 72 are connected respectively to the electrical circuitry of thecontrol valves 56, 58, 60, and 62 and are connected through the timermechanism 54 to a common ground conductor 74.

Pneumatic fluid is conducted from a fluid supply source S through apressure regulating, dewatering and lubrication mechanism R to thesolenoid energized control valves 56, 58, 60, 62. Pneumatic fluid isconducted from the control valve 56 to an associated pneumatic linearmotor 78- by a. pair of fluid transfer conduits 80 and 82. Each of thelinearly actuated fluid motors of this invention is constructed andfunction in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. A piston member 84is movably disposed within a cylinder 86 to which is communicated a pairof pneumatic fluid supply conduits 90 and 92. Each of the double actingcontrol valves is adapted to supply pneumatic pressure to one extremityof the cylinder 86 and to exhaust pneumatic fluid from the otherextremity thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 8 pneumatic fluid is beingexhausted from the lower portion of the cylinder 86 through the conduit92 and is being introduced through the supply conduit 90 into the upperportion of the cylinder 86 thereby positively forcing the piston member84 downwardly. After the control valve structure 91 has been shifted bysolenoid energization from its FIG. 8 position to the FIG. 9 positionthereof, the internal passage configuration of the control valve 91causes pressurized pneumatic fluid to be introduced through the conduit92 into the lowermost portion of the cylinder 86 and simultaneouslyallows exhausting of pneumatic fluid from the upper portion of thecylinder 86 through the conduit 90. This causes the piston to beforcibly urged upwardly. It is seen therefore that each of the linearpneumatic motors will be forcibly urged by the pressurized pneumaticfluid to each of the two operating positions thereof thereby assuringrapid positive actuation in both directions and positive maintenance ofpiston position in each of the operative positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 the pneumatic linear motor 78 is secured to asupport post 94 carried by the base plate 12. A strip brake and driveactuating lever 96 is secured by pivot 98 to the post 94 and is securedby a second pivot 100 to the actuating stem 1102 of the linear motor 78.The actuating lever 96 is provided with a brake foot 104 that is forceddownwardly into braking engagement with the strip material as the linearmotor 78 is actuated to move the stern 102 upwardly. As the actuatingstern 102 is moved downwardly by the linear motor 78 the brake foot 104is moved upwardly thereby releasing the strip material and a drive arm106 of the lever 96 simultaneously moves an idler roller housing 108about its pivotal connection 110 with a drive roller base L12 secured tothe base plate 12. This movement brings an idler roller 114 into drivingengagement with a drive roller 116 rotatably journaled within the driveroller base 112. The drive roller .116 is continuously rotated by anelectrically energized rotary drive motor 118 through a reduction gearmechanism .120 and a clutch structure 122. The clutch structure 122prevents damage to the drive roller or other structure of the machine inthe event the drive roller should become jammed.

With reference now to FIGS. I and 2 an elongated strip guide bar 124having a strip guide groove 126 formed therein is supported in generallyparalleled spaced relation with the base plate 12. The strip guidegroove 126 receives the strip material as it is fed from the strip drivemechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the strip guide groove 126 is ofsufficient width to receive the widest strip material accepted by themachine and may be is provided with a pair of adjustable strip guides128 and130 being pivotally connected to the guide bar 124. A pair ofadjustment members 132 and 134 are connected to the guide bar 124 andengage the adjustment members 128 and 130 in such manner as to allowproper centering of narrow strip material. This feature allowsutilization of strip material of various widths by the same machinesimply by adjusting the machine to accept the selected width of stripmaterial.

A support post 136 is secured to the base plate 12 and supports a linearfluid motor 138 having a brake foot 140 secured directly to theactuating stem 142 thereof and disposed immediately above the stripguide groove 126. Upon being energized downwardly the brake foot 140engages the strip material to completely immobilize the free extremityof the strip material within the strip guide groove 126.

A vibrating clip orienting and feeding apparatus 144 of conventionalnature is secured to the base plate 12 and is adapted to feed bindingclip members, such as that illustrated at 146 in FIG. 5, into a cliprecess 148 formed in the strip guide bar 124, as illustrated in detailin FIG. 4. The clip orienting and feed apparatus 144 is provided with afeed chute 150 for the purpose of transporting the clip members 146through an opening 152 formed in the post 136 and into the clip recess148. A cover plate 154 is secured to the strip guide bar 124 andcooperates with the strip guide groove 126 to thread the free extremityof the strip material through an elongated opening 156 formed in theclip member 146.

For the purpose of bending the strip material about the clip member 146a support member 158 is secured to the base plate 12 as illustrated indetail in FIG. 10. The support member 158 is provided with an elongatedaperture 160 which cooperates with a bolt 162 to retain a strip bendingmanipulator 164 in movable assembly with the support member 158. Theactuating stern 164 of a linear pneumatic motor 166 is pivotallyconnected by a bolt 168 to the strip bending manipulator. As the linearmotor 166 is actuated the manipulator is rotated about the bolt 162 andthe elongated aperture 160 cooperates with the bolt 162 causing themanipulator to be moved both upwardly and laterally through anappropriate aperture formed in the guide bar 124 from a position wherethe upper extremity thereof is disposed below the guide groove 126through the full line position where the manipulator initially engagesthe strip material and through the dash line positions thereby causingthe manipulator to fold the free extremity of the strip material aboutthe binding clip as illustrated in the operational views in FIG. 10. Thelower extremity of the fluid motor 166 is pivotally secured to a supportmember 170 fixed to the base plate 12.

As illustrated in the schematic view in FIG. 7 the pneumatic motors 138and 166 are energized through actuation of the solenoid control valve62. The pneumatic motor 138 is connected directly to the fluid supplysource through control conduits 172 and 174 while pneumatic fluid issupplied to the fluid motor 166 through branch conduits 176 and 178connected respectively to the conduits 172 and 174. A pair of fluidrestrictors 180 and 182 are interposed in the conduits 176 and 178,respectively, and serve to restrict the flow of pneumatic fluid to themotor 166 thereby causing the motor 166 to be delayed slightly in itsmovement to the operative position thereof. The delayed movement isprovided to allow the foot member 140 of the fluid motor 138 toimmobilize the strip material before the strip bending manipulator 164is moved to cause bending of the free extremity of the strip materialabout the binding clip. This feature precludes the strip bendingmanipulator from moving the strip material rearwardly as it is actuatedthrough its bending movement.

The binding clip is securely fixed to the strip material after thebending operation by simultaneously deforming the assembled clip andstrip material as illustrated in FIG. 4. This feature is accomplished bymeans of a linear pneumatic motor 184 secured to the support post 136and which motor is provided with a dimple forming tool 186 at the lowerextremity of the actuating stem 188 thereof.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7 the linear fluid motor 184 is energized bythe control valve 60 causing the flow of pneumatic fluid through thefluid supply conduits 190 and 192.

After the binding clip 146 has been securely fastened to the freeextremity of the strip material the fluid motor 78 is energized causingthe brake foot 104 to release the strip material and simultaneouslycausing the idler roller 114 to be moved into binding engagement therebycausing the continuously rotating drive roller 116 to drive the stripmaterial to its properly measured length. The timing mechanism actuatesthe linear pneumatic motor 78 upon reaching the measured length therebyagain causing the brake foot 104 to secure the strip material andallowing the idler roller 114 to be biased upwardly releasing drivingengagement of the strip drive mechanism. The strip material is thensevered by energization of a linear pneumatic motor 194 that is securedto a support post 196 fixed to base plate 12. The actuating stern 198 ofthe motor 194 is connected to a strip shear member 200 illustrated indetail in FIG. 6. A portion of the strip guide bar is cut away asillustrated in FIG. 6 to define a groove receiving a hardened shear base202. The movable shear member 200 is received between shear guidemembers 204 and 206 that maintain proper orientation between the shearmembers 200 and the shear base 202. Actuation of the shear member iscontrolled by the soloid control valve 58 which controls the supply ofpneumatic fluid through the control conduits 208 and 210.

A completed measured strip of binding material with a binding clipattached is removed from the mechanism of this invention by acontinuously rotating friction brush or wheel 212 that is driven by arotary motor 214. A storage bin, not shown, may be placed at the end ofthe strip guide bar to receive completed pieces from the machine.

OPERATION After the strip material has been severed at the end of apreceding operation the timing mechanism, which is ener- --gizedsequentially with the strip shearing mechanism, ac-

tuates the control valve 56 causing the linear pneumat c motor 78 to beenergized in such manner as to force the actuating stem downwardlythereby causing simultaneous releasing of the brake foot 104 andenergization of the strip drive mechanism and causing the strip materialto be driven until the free extremity thereof has been threaded througha binding clip member 156 that has been fed automatically into the clipreceiving recess at the clip securing station. At this time the linearmotor 78 is actuated in reverse manner by the control valve 56 therebyreleasing the drive mechanism and causing the brake foot 104 to securethe strip material against further movement. The control valve 62 isthen energized allowing the flow of pneumatic fluid into the conduits172 and 174 and allowing restricted flow of pneumatic fluid into theconduits 176 and 178. This causes sequential actuation of the linearfluid motors 138 and to first actuate the brake foot 140 to immobilizethe free extremity of the strip material and to cause the strip bendingmanipulator 164 to be rotated from its full line position as shown inFIG. 10 through the broken line positions to bend the free extremity ofthe strip material about the clip member 156. After the linear motor 166has withdrawn the strip bending manipulator 164 clear of the clip member156 the linear fluid motor 184 is energized causing the dimpling tool186 to engage and deform the bent portion of the strip material and theclip member thereby positively and permanently securing the clip memberinto assembly with the strip material. The linear motor 78 is then againenergized causing the strip driving mechanism to be actuated and causingthe brake foot 104 to be simultaneous- 1y disengaged from the stripmaterial. The stri driving mechanism then drives the strip material asuflicient distance to cause the measuring roller 46 to rotate thetiming mechanism to a preselected position. Upon reaching thepreselected position the timing mechanism again energizes the linearfluid motor 78 causing upward movement of the actuating stem 102 andagain causing the driving mechanism to disengage and the brake foot 104to secure the strip material. At this time the control valve 58 isenergized causing the linear motor 194 to move downwardly causing theshear member 200 to sever the length of strip material. When this hasbeen accomplished the continuously rotating friction drive roller 212drives the severed strip material outwardly into a receiving binprovided therefor. After the strip material has been removed the clipfeeding mechanism feeds a clip member downwardly and into the cliprecess provided therefor. Further operational sequences of the machinethen may proceed accordingly.

In view of the above it is obvious that I have provided a novelmechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremityof metal strip material, measuring the strip material to a desiredlength, and severing the measured length of strip material from astorage roll thereof. The mechanism of my invention may be easilyadjusted to provide a similar function on strip material of variouswidths. Virtually continuous production is made possible through use ofthe apparatus of my invention since operating personnel may replace adepleted roll of strip material on one side of the storage housing whilethe machine is producing measured strips of material from a storage rolllocated on the other side of the storage housing. When the second rollof strip material is depleted it is simply necessary to shift thestorage housing laterally into proper alignment with the strip measuringroll and the strip guide groove. The machine of my invention utilizesvery few parts and is extremely durable in service thereby providing amachine that is low in cost as well as being extremely reliable in use.It is apparent therefore that the machine of my invention effectivelyaccomplishes all of the objects and advantages herein above set forthtogether with other objects and advantages which are inherent in thestructure of my invention.

Having thus described my invention in detail I now hereby claim:

1. A mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to oneextremity of metal strip material, measuring the strip material to adesired length and severing the measured length of strip material, saidmechanism comprising storage housing means for said strip material,elongated strip guide means extending to linear alignment with saidstorage housing, timing sequence means measuring strip material drivenfrom said storage housing, strip drive means responsive to said timingsequence means for driving lengths of strip material from said storagehousing along said guide means, brake means responsive to said timingsequence means for securing measured strips of material againstinadvertent movement, an elongated strip receiving recess formed in saidguide means, a clip receiving station located in linear registry withsaid strip receiving recess means feeding binding clips into said clipreceiving station in alignment with said strip guide means, stripbending means disposed adjacent said guide means and being operative tobend the free extremity of said strip material about a binding clip,means immobilizing the free extremity of said strip material duringbending of said strip about said binding clip, means for deforming saidstrip material subsequent to said bending of said strip material aboutsaid binding clip to secure the clip in assembly with said stripmaterial.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, said storage housing having twostorage compartments each capable of retaining a roll of strip material,said storage housing being capable of selective lateral movement toalign either of said rolls of strip material with said elongated striprecess.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1, said strip drive means havingcounter-rotating drive roller means receiving said strip materialtherebetween, said rollers being normally biased to the nondrivingposition thereof, motor means being actuated responsive to saidmeasuring means for moving said drive roller means into drivingrelationship.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3, motor means driving said driveroller means, clutch means interposed between said motor means and saiddrive roller means to prevent damage to said motor means or drive rollermeans in the event jamming of said drive roller means occurs.

5. A mechanism according to claim 1, said brake means comprising a brakearm pivotally mounted above said strip receiving recess and having abrake foot engaging the strip material in said recess in the brakingposition thereof, said brake arm being pivotally moved into brakingposition simultaneously with movement of said drive means to thenondriving position thereof.

6. A mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to oneextremity of a strip of binding material, measuring the strip materialto a desired length and severing the measured length of material, saidmechanism comprising a storage housing for a roll of strip material andhaving an exit opening through which said strip material extends fromsaid storage housing, said mechanism having a timing sequence controlmeans being actuated responsive to linear movement of said stripmaterial as the strip material is withdrawn from said storage housing,strip drive and brake means receiving strip material from said housingand being operative in one position thereof to stop linear movement of.said strip material and in the other position thereof to drive saidstrip material linearly from said storage housing, said strip drive andbrake means being actuated responsive to said timing sequence controlmeans, an elongated strip guide means extending beyond said strip brakeand drive means, a clip assembly station provide on said strip guidemeans, means orienting and feeding binding clips to said clip assemblystation and poistioning the binding clips in registry with said stripguide means, strip immobilizing means disposed adjacent said assemblystation and being operative responsive to said timing sequence controlto immobilize the free extremity of the strip material, strip bendingmeans disposed at said assembly station and being operative responsiveto said timing sequence control to bend the free extremity of said stripmaterial about said binding clip, means responsive to said timingsequence control for deforming said clip and said free extremity of saidstrip material to positively secure the same in assembly, meansresponsive to said timing sequence control for severing measured lengthsof said strip material and means for removing said severed lengths ofmaterial from said mechanism.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6, said storage housing having aplurality of receptacles for rolls of strip material, said storagehousing being readily movable to align either of said rolls of stripmaterial with said strip guide means.

8. A mechanism according to claim 6, said timing sequence control meanshaving a plurality of electric control circuits, a plurality of solenoidactuated valves being connected to said electric control circuits,linear fluid motor means being connected to said solenoid actuatedvalves, operations of said mechanism responsive to said timing sequencecontrol means being accomplished by said linear fluid motor means.

9. A mechanism according to claim 8, said means for immobilizing thefree extremity of said strip material and said means for bending thefree extremity of said strip material being accomplished by electricalactuation of a single control valve, means to delay actuation of saidbending means until said strip material has become immobilized.

10. A mechanism according to claim 6, said strip drive means comprisinga pair of opposed rollers normally biased apart, means rotatably drivingat least one of said rollers, said strip material being received betweensaid rollers, a linear fiuid motor connected to one of said rollers andupon being energized responsive to said timing sequence control causingmovement of said one roller toward the other roller causing bindingbetween said rollers and said strip material and thereby resulting inlinear movement of said strip material.

11. A mechanism according to claim 10, said brake means located adjacentsaid strip drive means, said linear fluid motor being connected to saidbrake means and upon moving said one roller toward the other causingmovement of said brake means away from the braking position thereof andupon moving said one roller away from the other causing movement of saidbrake means toward the braking position thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,078 10/1951 Vollmer 14013,348,286 10/1967 Busler 29-33 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. l4074, 93.4

